Media & Communications Baton Rouge, LA Pop. 227,470

Photographer Salary in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The median photographer salary in Baton Rouge, LA is $36,984 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 1.1% above the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$36,984
vs State Avg
+$402
vs National
$-3,216
Cost of Living
92%

Photographer Pay in Baton Rouge: What to Expect (2026)

Baton Rouge offers a median photographer salary of $36,984, which is $402 above the Louisiana state average of $36,582. Compared to the national median of $40,200, Baton Rouge pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Baton Rouge's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for photographers in Baton Rouge spans from $22,080 at the 10th percentile to $75,440 at the 90th percentile — a $53,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $23,920, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $69,000. With a population of 227,470, Baton Rouge is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Photographer Salary in Baton Rouge by Experience

In Baton Rouge, an entry-level photographer earns around $23,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $69,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$23,920
$-2,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$38,640
$-3,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$69,000
$-6,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Baton Rouge, LA

Percentile Baton Rouge
10th Percentile $22,080
25th Percentile $27,600
Median (50th) $36,984
75th Percentile $53,360
90th Percentile $75,440

Photographer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$39,396
Pop. 383,997
Lafayette, LA
$35,376
Pop. 121,374
Lake Charles, LA
$34,572
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$34,170
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Photographer in Baton Rouge

Education

Most photographer positions require a high school diploma. Baton Rouge and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PhotographyLightroom/PhotoshopLightingCompositionPhoto EditingClient Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, photographer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Baton Rouge may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Photographer Jobs in Baton Rouge

Browse open photographer positions in Baton Rouge, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Baton Rouge

How much does a Photographer make in Baton Rouge, LA? ▼
The median photographer salary in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is $36,984 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $22,080 (10th percentile) to $75,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Baton Rouge? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $36,984, a photographer in Baton Rouge earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Baton Rouge compare to the Louisiana state average for photographer pay? ▼
Baton Rouge's median photographer salary of $36,984 is 1.1% above the Louisiana state average of $36,582. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Baton Rouge, LA? ▼
Baton Rouge has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a photographer salary of $36,984 in Baton Rouge has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Baton Rouge? ▼
Most photographer positions in Baton Rouge require a high school diploma. Key skills include Photography, Lightroom/Photoshop, Lighting, Composition. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.